MANKATO, Minn. – The Winona State baseball team had its chances, but dropped a doubleheader to No. 3 Minnesota State by scores of 3-2 and 7-3 Friday afternoon at the MSU Baseball Complex in Mankato.
 
The Warriors, despite managing just five hits in the first game, were even with the Mavericks through the first five innings. The Warriors produced 10 hits in the second game defeat.
 
In the first game, the Warriors got on the board first on a two out RBI double by Travis Evanson, scoring Jordan Plamann from second to take the early 1-0 lead.
 
However, the Mavericks tied the game up in the bottom of the second on an RBI groundout and added two more runs in the third inning to take a 3-1 lead.
 
Winona State managed to get a run back in the top of the sixth on a Mitchell Heid RBI single that scored Plamann to cut the Minnesota State lead to 3-2.
 
The Warriors had an opportunity to tie the game in the top of the seventh with a runner on third and two outs. However, Plamann grounded out to second, allowing the Mavericks to take the first game in the series.
 
Winona State pitcher Chase Blazier took the loss for the Warriors, dropping to 4-4 on the season. He pitched six innings, giving up three earned runs on seven hits while not striking out or walking a single batter. The three earned runs were the most runs Blazier had given up since a 7-0 loss to Florida Tech back on March 10.
 
Plamann led the WSU bats with a 2-for-4 performance with two runs. Evanson and Heid were the only Warriors to knock in runs with one apiece.
 
Winona State has run into tough luck in one run games, as the Warriors fell to 3-9 in games decided by a run.
 
In the second game, it was the Mavericks that struck first on two RBI singles and a groundout to take the 3-0 advantage in the first inning.
 
Plamann cut it to 3-1 in the third inning on an RBI sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Michael Hommes from third.
 
In the fourth inning, Minnesota State blew the game wide open on a two RBI double and an RBI single to stretch the lead to 6-1. The Mavericks added one more on a solo home run to make it a 7-1 advantage.
 
The Warriors did manage to push across a few runs in the top of the ninth to keep it close. Junior designated hitter Mitch Voter slapped an RBI single up the middle to score Evanson and Taylor Field reached on an error by the third baseman to score Heid from third to make it a 7-3 ballgame with no outs.
 
That would be all the Warrior bats could muster as a strikeout and a double play ball ended WSU's chances for a comeback.
 
Freshman starting pitcher Mitchell Stalsberg, after pitching two consecutive strong outings struggled against the Mavericks. Stalsberg gave up six earned runs on eight hits with a walk and four strikeouts in five innings pitched. With the loss, Stalsberg dropped to 3-3 on the season.
 
Andrew Geislinger, Heid, and Field led the Warrior offense, each going 2-for-4 on the game. Plamann, Voter, and Field also tallied the only RBIs for WSU in the ballgame.
 
Winona State (20-27, 18-16 NSIC) will try to rebound on Saturday, as they will challenge Minnesota State in a second day of doubleheader baseball. First pitch will be at noon at the MSU Baseball Complex.